The primary purpose of heroin detoxification programs is to achieve safe and humane withdrawal from heroin and other opiates by minimizing the severity of withdrawal symptoms and other medical complications. The chief objective of drug detox is to relieve withdrawal symptoms while patients adjust to a drug-free state. Not in itself a treatment for heroin addiction, detoxification is a useful step only when it leads into long-term inpatient drug rehabilitation. The best documented heroin addiction recovery results are from drug-free residential programs lasting 3 to 6 months.

While heroin and opiate withdrawal is rarely fatal, it can be extremely difficult and painful. It is characterized by acute withdrawal symptoms which peak 48 to 72 hours after the last opiate dose and disappear within 7 to 10 days. This is then followed by a longer term abstinence syndrome of general malaise and heroin craving.

Narconon Fresh Start is a long-term residential drug rehab program that uses an entirely drug-free approach to addiction rehabilitation. The cornerstone of their program is the New Life Detoxification Program which removes the root cause of future heroin re-stimulation by flushing out the accumulated toxic metabolites in the fatty tissues. This process consists of medically supervised exercise, combined with dry sauna therapy and scientifically formulated nutritional supplements targeted to rid the fatty tissues of the stored heroin metabolites, eliminating the physical cause of cravings and relapse. The program participant experiences remarkable psychological and physical benefits ranging from improved mental clarity, better sleep, and clearer skin to and enhanced overall health.